Multiple waveguide-fiber connector for PLC modules for optical circuit board integration

In contrast to conventional optical modules with fiber pigtails, receptacle type optical modules can make it possible to package optical components economically on a printed circuit board. We have recently developed a duplex waveguide-fiber connector called the planar lightwave circuit (PLC) connector which utilizes a physical contact (PC) connection between optical waveguides and bare fibers. We report our development of a multi-fiber PLC connector for optical modules with several tens of channels at its interface. This connector can offer high-density connection with twelve fibers in one unit. Moreover, a compact optical interconnection system be realized on the board without the troublesome handling of extra lengths of fiber, by combining the PLC connectors with an optical wiring board, in which optical fibers are systematically wired. We also installed the connectors in a thermo-optic (TO) switch module.